Most people receive the energy and nutrients they need through their diets, but sometimes this is not possible for medical reasons. Parenteral nutrition gives a person the nutrients and calories they need through a vein instead of through eating. With total parenteral nutrition (usually called TPN), a person gets 100% of the nutrition they need each day through a vein. Parenteral nutrition can be given temporarily or for a longer time....
What Is Tybost? Tybost is a prescription medication that is used to boost the effects of Reyataz (atazanavir) or Prezista (darunavir) once-daily dosing regimen in combination with other antiretroviral drugs in the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults or children weighing at least 77 pounds (35 kilograms) (with atazanavir) or at least 88 pounds (40 kilograms) (with darunavir). Tybost is a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor, and it helps increase the levels of specific HIV protease inhibitors (atazanavir and darunavir) in the body by competing with their metabolism through the liver....
Xeljanz (tofacitinib citrate) is a daily oral medication that is approved to treat moderate to severe cases of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis, and ulcerative colitis in adults. Xeljanz is part of a group of medications known as JAK (Janus kinase) inhibitors, which decrease inflammation by helping block an overactive immune response. Xeljanz is available in a 10 milligram (mg) twice daily dose, and a 5 mg twice daily dose, depending on your condition....
Second-degree burns, also called partial-thickness burns, involve the outer layer of skin (epidermis). They can extend to the middle skin layer below (dermis). The degree of a burn is based on how many layers deep the damage goes. Burns can damage the epidermis, dermis, and fatty tissues under the skin. Second-degree burns can look different depending on their cause, size, and exact depth. A 2nd-degree burn that affects less than 10% of the skin’s surface can usually be treated on an outpatient basis using antibiotic ointments....
Antidepressants are prescription medications typically used to treat depression and other mental health conditions. Clinical depression, also called major depressive disorder (MDD), involves ongoing feelings of sadness, emptiness, apathy, and worthlessness. It can also cause symptoms like fatigue, problems with sleep, appetite changes, irritability, and chronic pain. Antidepressants help reduce these symptoms by balancing the level of certain neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) in the brain. Estimates suggest that about 13% of U....
What Is Ativan? Ativan (lorazepam) is an anti-seizure prescription drug used to treat anxiety and seizures. It is a Schedule IV controlled substance belonging to the drug class known as benzodiazepines. Lorazepam is available as a tablet in immediate-release (IR) and extended-release (ER) formulations. Some strengths of Ativan IR pills are scored (slit down the middle) and can be broken in half if required. Lorazepam is also available as an injection solution that contains benzyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, or propylene glycol....
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women other than skin cancer. It is a disease in which malignant cancer cells form in the tissues of the breast. Screening tests can help find breast cancer in people who are at average risk and don’t have symptoms of breast cancer. When found and treated early, the chances of recovery and survival are higher. Approximately 1 in 8 women in the United States will develop breast cancer over the course of their lifetime....
Most causes of bloodshot eyes aren’t dangerous. Eye redness is usually short-lived and resolves on its own. However, it can sometimes be a sign of a serious condition that requires treatment, such as a severe infection, a corneal ulcer, or glaucoma. If you’re not sure if you should see your healthcare professional, consider your other symptoms. Bloodshot eyes accompanied by any of the following warrant a medical evaluation: Blurry visionPainSensitivity to lightColored halosDischarge This article discusses each of these in detail, less-concerning causes of red eyes, and how a provider will come to reach a diagnosis....
Inflammation is the body’s way of responding to threats such as infection. But sometimes the body’s inflammatory response can go haywire, attacking healthy, non-diseased tissues. Researchers believe that the immune system may play a role in inflammatory diseases. However, the cause of many inflammatory conditions is poorly understood. There are a wide variety of conditions that cause ongoing inflammation in the body. These conditions are called chronic inflammatory diseases. Types of Chronic Inflammatory Diseases Here’s an overview of common chronic inflammatory diseases and their symptoms....
When Charlene Voorhies knocks on the doors of people in her hometown of Shreveport, Louisiana, people often tell her that they’ve been vaccinated to get her off their doorstep. Key Takeaways To increase vaccination rates, organizations across the U.S. are going door-to-door to share information about the vaccines.Some groups help people sign up for vaccine appointments, offer rides to clinics and dispel misinformation.In some states and localities, health departments offer in-home vaccination, which is key for people unable to leave their homes....
Computed tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans are imaging healthcare providers use to produce detailed images of internal anatomy. CT scans are quick and widely available. Providers use them to evaluate many conditions. MRI scans, though they’re slower and less widespread, can provide better soft tissue detail than CT scans can. This article will discuss the differences between CT and MRI scans. MRIs Healthcare providers use MRI scans to view detailed images inside the head, abdomen, legs, or joints....
Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease. An estimated 1 in 3 adults with diabetes may develop kidney disease (also called diabetic nephropathy) in their lifetime. Diabetes is a condition characterized by an inability to regulate blood sugar levels. Chronically high blood sugar levels are toxic to small blood vessels and causes injury to the kidneys over time. When your kidneys are damaged, they begin to lose their ability to filter blood effectively....
The diagnostic process for diverticulitis often begins with going to a healthcare provider with symptoms such as abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhea, and fever. However, these are common to many other conditions. The healthcare provider will assess your physical condition and review your medical history. Further diagnostic procedures may involve blood, urine, stool, and imaging tests. This article will discuss how diverticulitis might be diagnosed, other conditions with similar symptoms, and some potential complications....
There is no cure for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), so the condition is typically treated by managing and improving symptoms. This is often achieved with medications that help mitigate the effects of the disease, like menstrual dysfunction, weight changes, infertility, and insulin resistance. Read on to learn about the medications used to manage PCOS symptoms. Menstrual Dysfunction PCOS is characterized by hormonal abnormalities that can result in infrequent periods (oligomenorrhea) or absent periods (amenorrhea)....
What Is Edarbi? Edarbi (azilsartan) is a prescription medication administered orally that is used alone or in combination therapy to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). Edarbi belongs to the class of drugs called angiotensin II receptor antagonists (ARBs), a group of medications prescribed to treat hypertension. Within the body, angiotensin II (a naturally occurring hormone) causes the blood vessels to tighten and become narrow. To combat this, Edarbi selectively inhibits angiotensin II from binding to specific receptors allowing the blood vessels to relax and widen....
Enteroviruses are a group of viruses that cause a variety of contagious illnesses, which can easily be spread from person to person. Most infections are mild, but sometimes enterovirus infections can lead to deadly diseases, like polio, meningitis, and encephalitis. This article discusses the causes and symptoms of enterovirus infections, how they are treated, and several ways you can protect yourself from getting sick. Enterovirus Basics Enterovirus infection is common. Each year in the United States, between 10 and 15 million people have an enterovirus infection....
What Is Epidiolex? Epidiolex (cannabidiol) is a prescription medicine that prevents seizures from neurological syndromes. It’s available as a solution taken by mouth (oral), usually twice daily. While Epidiolex (cannabidiol) was a controlled substance (Schedule V), it is now no longer a scheduled substance as of 2020. The marijuana (Cannabis sativa) plant contains both cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other components. Cannabidiol interacts with cannabinoid receptors in the brain. THC is the main psychoactive chemical in marijuana....
For people with erectile dysfunction, having a satisfying sex life can be a challenge. One potential solution is an external penile prosthesis, a device that can be used by individuals who want the option of penetrating a partner without having to undergo surgery or use medications. Options include penis sleeves and penile supports. External penile prostheses are readily available and require no medical intervention (although a consultation with a doctor or sex therapist can be beneficial)....
Fintepla (fenfluramine) is a prescription medication approved for the prevention of seizures associated with Dravet syndrome and Lennox Gastaut syndrome in adults and children age 2 and older. It comes as an oral solution, and the dosing is weight-based. This medication is often taken with other anti-epilepsy drugs (AEDs), and the dose may be adjusted if it’s taken with other AEDs. History Fenfluramine is considered a very effective appetite suppressant, and, in the past, it was approved by the FDA for the treatment of obesity....
A hair follicle drug test is one way to screen for recreational drug use or prescription drug abuse. A section of hair, about 200 strands, is sent to a lab for testing. The test can pick up drugs or drug metabolites inside the hair shaft that have been deposited there through the bloodstream. Like urine tests, the drugs that can be detected will vary depending on the panel that is chosen....
